Once the site of a major slave market, today this unattractive oasis in central Algeria produces millions of dates, but it is mostly seen by travelers as a stopping point on the way through the desert. If you're en route to/from Tamanrasset, you'll want to pause only long enough to buy expensive supplies and see the large sand dune that is threatening to engulf part of the town. Water is in short supply and so mineral laden that it's almost undrinkable. 630 mi/1,000 km south of Algiers.
